Getting hooked on fishing

Almost 150 special-needs kids from Grand Haven Area Public Schools had a chance to enjoy the beautiful weather and try their hand at catching fish Thursday afternoon.

The event, called Get Hooked, aims at getting kids — many of whom have never caught a fish before — hooked on fishing, said organizer Randy Hansen.

“We’ve caught probably at least 100 gobies today, which we don’t throw back,” he said. “We’ve also caught some nice catfish and some nice sheepshead. It’s an amazing event. I just helped a young boy take this fish off — it was the first fish he ever caught and that’s what we’re all about.”

Hansen said it is the 10th year for the Get Hooked event, which he organizes through Pursuing a Dream.

“Pursuing a Dream supplies the bait, the poles, everything they need to fish,” he explained. “Our mentors help them fish, put worms on the hook, take fish off.”